We recently connected with Alex Runions and have shared our conversation below.

Alex, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

I would have to say that the most meaningful project that I’ve worked on is my current album project, “Above the Clouds and on the Ground” which was released on March 7, 2025. This album is more heartfelt and is focused around growth, love and loss. I got sober about five years ago, I got married, and we have a child so a lot of the writing is focused around these new experiences and changes in my life. There is a shift in my sound away from a pop country type of style to more of an Americana/folk style of writing and production. It has been an amazing and fulfilling project and I couldn’t be more proud of it.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Sure, I’d love to! I grew up in a small town in Saskatchewan, Canada. There were 1100 people there. I used to sing and make up songs on my way to school every day when I was a kid, I assumed that all other kids were doing the same thing because that’s what felt normal to me. In high school I recall somebody telling me that I had a nice singing voice and shortly after that I was asked to join a couple of bands and we played at pool parties and outdoor shows. It was a lot of fun, and at one point I was kicked out of my band which really hurt at the time especially as a teenager, apparently my voice wasn’t “rock” enough for the band. I took a couple of years off and then had an epiphany…I could do music on my own. I started writing my own music and performing a little bit, I was asked to be an opening act for a successful country artist in a nearby town, after the show he told me that he loved my voice and gave me an open invitation to open up for any of his shows on the tour. So, I drove to every place that he played that year and opened for as many shows as possible, it was a great experience and opportunity.
From there, I started recording my songs, that was back in 2005 where I released my first three song EP. I got a little bit of radio play out of that, which really helped my confidence and getting my career to the next level. In 2009 I released my first full length album which was recorded with Canadian Country music award-winning producer, Bart McKay. The album had some success but I was also very green in the industry and didn’t have much of A plan. I continued to work hard at booking shows and writing more, building a band that consisted of players better than me so that I could elevate my abilities. The band was booked quite steadily for a number of years as I continued to release and record music. I landed a management deal in Nashville in 2015 along with a private publishing deal, I released my second full length album in 2015, this was much more focused and I recorded it with another Canadian Country music award-winning studio, MCC studios in Calgary. This album was much more successful, I had many more years behind me and radio was very open to playing all of the singles I released. In 2016 I went on my first cross country Canadian tour and continue to perform at some of the biggest country music festivals across Canada.
When COVID hit, I took a little bit of a break from performing. I had some major changes in life, getting sober getting married and having child. My dog also died through this time which absolutely crushed me because she had been with me since my 20s. And this leads me to where things are today, I just released my album “Above the Clouds and on the Ground” to the world. The album is about allowing yourself to dream big while being grounded by the harsh realities of life.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I had some major life changes around 2020. It was tough but I had to look inward in order to grow and become a better person. I think that I was always looking for the easy way out and to blame someone else when life didn’t turn out just how I had hoped. It was a big victim mentality…I think a lot of people are this way. For the second time in two different relationships, I had heard my partner say “I feel alone in this relationship”. I couldn’t believe it because from my perspective, I was doing everything right. But I wasn’t. I wasn’t a great partner, I was selfish and drank way too much. After hearing those words again, I had an epiphany that perhaps – just maybe – there is the slightest possibility that I might be in the wrong. It hit me like a ton of bricks and the process began. I started working on myself. I got sober (5 years in April 2025), I read books like “How to do the Work” by Nicole LePera (absolute life changer), and “We are the Luckiest” by Laura Mckowen. I started working out again, being grateful for what I have and the relationships I was part of. I started to love myself again. It was an awakening that I am truly grateful for. It wasn’t easy to get here but I made it and I’m thankful for all the good and the bad I’ve been through to get here.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For an introvert like myself, being able to create music and use songwriting as an outlet is so fulfilling. The fact that people connect with the music is the reward. These are topics and experiences from my life but the chances are, if I’ve gone through it, there is someone out there who has as well and is in need of a song to connect with. I write songs to connect with: a sad song should be that, a sad song. No resolve, it should give you permission to have a good cry or grieve, whatever the experience might be.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.alexrunions.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexrunions
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexrunionsmusic
• Twitter: https://x.com/alexrunions
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/alexrunionsmusic

Image Credits

Photos by Nolita Studios (photos outside and editorial photos)
Photos by Dustin Veitch (photos taken in church setting)